Colonoscopy

"A colonoscopy is something you can do. It can save your life."

Linda Lytle, mother of four and grandmother of nine, knows that colorectal cancer (cancer of the colon and rectum) is among the most curable of cancers if caught early. That’s why she believes in preventive screenings. Linda underwent her first screening colonoscopy when she was 45 (because of a family history), and she has undergone two other colonoscopies in the 15 years since.

“Women have to take their health seriously,” she says. “They can’t take care of their family unless they take care of themselves.”

Linda will continue to undergo colonoscopies every five years, or at the recommendation of her physician, Erica L. Laipply, M.D. Dr. Laipply is the only female colorectal surgeon in the Akron (Ohio) area.

In fact, Linda stays up to date with all of her appropriate screenings. “I’m lucky to have a good physician who encourages me.”

Only 39 percent of colorectal cancer cases are diagnosed in an early stage, in part because of the underuse of screening.* Too many people wait until they experience symptoms such as belly pain or rectal bleeding before scheduling a colonoscopy. By that time, the cancer might be more difficult to treat or cure. A colonoscopy is one of the most effective methods of detecting colorectal cancer in the early stage.

Women are at approximately the same risk for colorectal cancer as men, and when colorectal cancer occurs, it is twice as deadly as breast cancer for women.

“A colonoscopy is something you can do. It can save your life,” Linda says.

Colon cancer: Catch it early; it absolutely matters.

If you have been diagnosed with cancer, at Summa Health System, we can provide you with high-quality, compassionate cancer care at Summa’s accredited cancer centers in Northeast Ohio. Treatment and multiple resources are accessible at multiple locations, so you don’t have to travel far to receive the best cancer care possible.